International Arbitration
During the course of her career, Anna has acted in numerous arbitrations and regularly leads extensive teams of lawyers and experts on high-value international arbitral disputes. She has appeared in arbitrations conducted under the DIAC, ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, QICCA and CIMAR Rules in respect of a diverse range of projects including power and water stations, windfarms, airports, sports stadiums, bridges, luxury homes and mixed-use developments.
Anna’s practice has a particular focus on Middle East based matters and has extensive experience acting on arbitrations seated in Dubai, Qatar and Oman and has appeared in the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts.
Wind Power & Water Plant: Acting as junior on behalf of the Generator in a dispute arising out of the construction of a Power and Water plant in Bahrain. Multi-billion dollar claims advanced, including claims for a reduction in the tariff (both water and power), extensive remedial works claimed by the off-taker (as opposed to the generator), together with significant counterclaims for unpaid capacity charges. Complex delay arguments with each protagonist blaming others for the delay suffered. In respect of the same project, acting as lead counsel in respect of the claim “down the line” by the Generator against the Contractor.
Transport
International Airports – Middle East: Dispute arising out of the design and construction of a main international hub-airport together with five regional airports. Part of a substantial team of counsel acting on behalf of the employer, dealing with allegations of negligence concerning the design and administration of the contract extending over 7 years with multi-billion-pound (equivalent) claims against each party. Responsible for claims in relation to architectural design and detailing, airport design, air traffic forecasting, retail planning, airfield lighting, and navigational aids.
International Airport – Europe: Acting as Junior on behalf of the Contractor in relation to a claim for US$50M arising out of a construction project in Bulgaria. Claims relating to both allegedly defective works and significant delay/project cost overruns consequent upon unforeseen ground conditions.
Metro – Earthworks & Piling: Acting on behalf of a Sub-Contractor in respect of four separate sub-contracts, where each contract was subject to different bespoke terms concerning earthworks and piling works in respect of a new metro line. Issues concerning the operation of contractual terms, approach to valuation and pricing of the works and variations.
Metro – Station MEP/Fit Out: Acting on behalf of a Sub-contractor in respect of MEP and Fit-Out Works for a series of stations in respect of works associated with a new metro line. Contract based on FIDIC Red-Book subject to bespoke amendments. Issues concerning the operation of the contractual terms, the conduct of the Employer/Engineer regarding Clause 15.3 Determinations and associated disclosure issues and overarching issues of application of local Law.
Stadia & Sporting
Racecourse: Acting for the Contractor in relation to the construction of a racecourse with associated hospitality and hotel facilities in the Middle-East. Allegations of defective design, workmanship, delay and cost overrun.
Athletic Stadium: Acting for the Contractor in relation to a US$20M against sub-contractor for wrongful determination of the contract relating to the construction of an athletic stadium in Beirut on behalf of UK-based main contractor. Delay issues included the use of the site by the army as a gun emplacement site.
Residential: Luxury & Mixed Use
Mixed-Use Residential: Acting for Employers in linked disputes concerning the construction of the largest mixed-use residential and commercial development in Qatar. Complex arguments on civil code on the enforceability of settlement agreements (where fraudulent misrepresentation was alleged) and the impact of the same; the existence of alleged agreements to indemnify performance of subcontractor as well as technical arguments on the causes of extensive condensation, water penetration and other architectural issues. Cross over with local court due to issues with performance and guarantee bonds.
Luxury Home: Acting for the Contractor in relation to a dispute concerning the construction of one of the most luxurious private dwellings in Dubai Hills, with a dispute value of over £ 20 million (equivalent). Allegations of incomplete design, employer variations, defective workmanship and delay. The Employer terminated the contract, giving rise to issues as to the validity of the termination and the recoverability of the consequential costs that were incurred by each of the parties.
Tower Block – Piling: Acting on behalf of the Contractor in relation to a new development in Dubai where the employer alleged that the piling works were defective, preventing the development from being undertaken. Arguments concerning the adequacy of the pile construction and responsibility for project delay.
Hotels
Oman: Acting on behalf of a Joint Venture in relation to the construction and fit-out of a luxury hotel in Oman. Allegations of delay, changes in design, supply of materials, variations, defects & remedial works.
Abu Dhabi: Acting on behalf of the Contractor in relation to a dispute arising out of the construction of an airport hotel that utilised modular design. Issues concerning the scope of contractual obligations under the FIDIC Red Book Rules; adequacy of design regarding sound transference, instruction of additional works and validity of those instructions, independence of Engineer as regards his decisions, causes of delay and disruption and valuation issues.
Selected Cases
View full profile »Awards
Events
- Anna Laney KC to speak at the IMC Annual Professional Indemnity Insurance Conference on 8 July
- Crown Office Chambers Construction and Arbitration team in the Middle East next week
News
- Anna Laney KC elected to sit on The Society of Construction Law’s Council
- Anna Laney KC successfully defends negligent design claim
Articles
- Anna Laney writes article for ICES Construction Law Review 2014 entitled ‘Adjudication: Quick & Filthy’
- Adjudication: a Pioneering decision – by Anna Laney October 2013
Memberships
- COMBAR
- LCLCBA
- TECBAR
Recommendations
“Despite being an exceptional legal mind, she is incredibly personable and user-friendly – she imbeds herself with the team and brings out everyone’s strengths.”…”She comes up with some of the most brilliant ideas to bring things forward. She is brilliant in her written work and cutting in her cross-examination.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“Anna rolls up her sleeves and gets stuck in. She is also very good at dealing with clients.”…”When it comes to construction matters, she understands the minutiae of matters with ease and takes the time to understand her client.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
‘Anna is extremely personable whilst having the quiet confidence of someone who truly knows what they are doing. She embeds herself well within a client team, loves to spend the time working through a complex problem, and is very pragmatic in everything she does.’
Legal 500, 2026
‘Her ability to distil and articulate complex legal nuances with clarity and authority was particularly impressive. Strategically astute, she advanced a coherent and persuasive case theory, maintaining firm control throughout.’
Legal 500, 2026
“Anna is very good at explaining difficult nuances in the law and is brilliant at cross-examining.”…”Her ability to understand the most complex technical details with absolute ease is just unbelievable.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Anna Laney is extremely personable.”…”She very quickly imbeds herself in the team and brings out the best in people.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“A well-deserved promotion to KC. A joy to work with – hugely commercial and able to engage well with construction clients.”…”One thing that makes Anna stand out is her ability to get most out of the team working through a case. She dives straight in and has a way of bringing out the best of experts and the team working behind a case.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Anna has an intuitive sense and a wealth of knowledge.”…”She is smart, robust, and super user-friendly. Clients love her tenacious approach.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Anna Laney is the real deal: her ability to grasp the nuances of a technical issue and then to deliver in cross-examination is second to none. She is also a pleasure to work with.”…”She’s wonderful – very strong on her feet, tough to beat, she really gets into the cases, and clients and lawyers love working with her.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Anna is extremely talented. She is the most inclusive and team-focused barrister: her manner with everyone ranging from the client to the most junior member of the team, is excellent, and a skill that is vastly overlooked. To boot, her legal ability really is second to none: her advocacy, both complex in its approach, but succinct and to the point, really is her strength.”… “Highly experienced and knowledgeable. A formidable advocate and negotiator. Excellent at explaining to instructing solicitors and clients in a clear, accessible way.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Anna is an exceptional construction barrister. She is highly responsive, pragmatic and commercial.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Highly competent, capable, dependable and fantastic to work with. KC quality work and knowledge. Tougher than the rest.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Extremely thorough and knowledgeable, wholly committed to the case at hand. Very impressive delivery in court and personable when dealing with instructing solicitors and clients.”…”Anna always gives clear and authoritative advice on case strategy. She has a calm and friendly demeanour.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Anna is an exceptional construction barrister. She is highly responsive, pragmatic and commercial.”; “She is extremely knowledgeable regarding construction and insurance issues, and also great to deal with.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“She is incredibly knowledgeable in construction disputes. I have been very impressed with both Anna’s technical knowledge and legal advice.”; “She is outstanding with clients and really puts them at their ease, giving a firm impression that she is on their side.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
